Another shot of Paul's bitchin turbine otter we flew in on with foraker and the sultana in the back ground. There was no time wasted reminding us where we were 
as a big avalanche crashed down next to the moonflower buttress on Mt Hunter right next to Kahiltna base. We then proceeded to haul a double load over the casual 3 mile ski across the glacier. Note the bare ridge on Crosson...
After we attempted to probe out a good area in the swiss cheese spread zone, 
base camp was established and all the freeze dried goods were broken out 
We showed up in spectacular weather which held for two days. We did take advantage and hauled a load of fuel and food up Crosson in preparation for what we figured would be a 4-5 day push to summit and ski back down given good weather. The climb involved more crampon on rock instead of snow then I think any of us care to remember... Court on the lower ridge of Mt Crosson. 
After we got through the "quality" rock, climbing on snow should have been a pleasure. Instead, we were treated to knee to waist deep penententis... Yummy. 
After climbing the upper reaches of Crosson which held good snow and ice, we left our cache and made the first turns of the trip. Kip ripping upper Crosson with almost 6000 vert down to the glacier and basecamp
Court styling 
With nearly 3000 ft of descending left on the plate, we came to the beginning of the nearly unskiable suncups, and we stashed the skis... That was hard for me. I love my skis. I hate down climbing. But it was the right call given the conditions. Kip plunge stepping loose shale on the down climb... 
I must say steel crampons and rando boots are tough cookies. That was some serious abuse and the gear was fine. We even got to down climb the reasonably steep lower SE headwall of Crosson down to the glacier in firm conditons. Front pointing and swinging the tool with > 1000 ft fall down to the crevasses. No photos, I was too gripped to get the camera out. This was the last day of good weather for some time. Snow started falling and we lived in the ping pong ball for nearly two weeks 
Got plenty of sleeping pad testing time and books in 
As well as more scrabble than I care to remember. Here Courtney (whom proclaimed he sucked at scrabble) is busting out another 50 pointer. Like Buxom on a triple (even though I pretty sure he played
boxom, should have called that one!) or jester... Word Court! Two weeks later, nearly out of time, we finally got what appeard to be at least close to the weather forecast we needed. The climb/summit/ski coming next. Thanks for reading.
Was the bare ridge on Crosson caused by sliding or by melting? Or both?
Also, was your line down a new route? Or had already been skied?
It looked like a great adventure and you guys are probably qualified for the scrabble world championship!
Posted by: Alan | June 24, 2009 at 05:34 AM